Luke 15

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

What does Luke 15:3 mean?

Explanation

Luke 15:3 is the opening statement to a series of parables that Jesus tells in response to the Pharisees and scribes who were criticizing Him for welcoming and eating with sinners.

The verse directly introduces the "Parable of the Lost Sheep" by setting the scene for a direct teaching moment from Jesus to His detractors.

It reads, "And he spake this parable unto them, saying," indicating that Jesus is directly addressing His audience with an illustrative story meant to convey spiritual truth.

While the verse itself is simple and does not contain a teaching, it serves as an important preface to the lessons about God's love, forgiveness, and the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, which are the core of the parables that follow.

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Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, the Jewish religious leaders, like the Pharisees and scribes, held strict views on purity and association with individuals they considered sinners.

Engaging with tax collectors, immoral individuals, or non-Jews was seen as contaminating and to be avoided.

The criticism against Jesus for socializing with "sinners" is what prompts the response in the form of parables.

Parables were a common method of teaching in the Jewish tradition, and Jesus used them frequently to communicate deeper spiritual truths through relatable stories.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, the parables that follow Luke 15:3 emphasize the boundless mercy of God and His active pursuit of the lost.

Theologians point to the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, contrasting it with the exclusive practices of the religious elite of the time.

Furthermore, the joy in heaven over a repentant sinner (mentioned later in Luke 15:7) underscores the value of each individual to God and His desire for all to come to repentance.

Practical Applications

The prelude to the parables in Luke 15:3 encourages believers to be attentive to the teachings of Jesus and to reflect on their own attitudes towards others.

It is a call to practice inclusivity, mercy and to celebrate repentance and rehabilitation rather than judgment and ostracism. This approach has practical implications for how individuals and communities address issues of social justice, forgiveness, and outreach.

Cross-References

Luke 15:7 - "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Matthew 18:12-14 - The parallel account of the "Parable of the Lost Sheep."
Luke 5:30-32 - Jesus explaining why He interacts with sinners.
Luke 15:1-2 - Setting the scene and the criticism Jesus faced.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text for this verse are "εἶπεν" (eipen), which means "he said," and "παραβολήν" (parabolen), which means "parable." The term "parable" comes from the Greek "παραβάλλω" (paraballo), meaning "to place alongside" and is used to describe a story placed alongside a truth for the purpose of teaching.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing the use of parables in the teachings of Jesus with other ancient religious and cultural traditions, we find that many cultures used storytelling as a means of conveying moral and ethical lessons.

For instance, Aesop's fables in Greek literature served a similar purpose.

In the Hindu tradition, stories and parables are commonly found in the ancient texts like the Panchatantra.

Similarly, in Buddhism, the Jataka tales serve to impart wisdom and morals.

Scientific Perspectives

While Luke 15:3 is not directly related to scientific inquiry, the use of parables as a teaching tool can be appreciated through the lens of cognitive science and educational psychology.

These disciplines study how storytelling can be an effective technique for memory retention and moral development in both children and adults.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians often interpret Luke 15:3 as a strategic move by Jesus to communicate truth to His critics in a way that is both relatable and convicting.

Commentary by scholars like Matthew Henry emphasizes the patience and wisdom of Christ in dealing with His opponents.

The Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers points to Jesus’ use of the parable as a way of teaching profound spiritual truths without directly confronting His accusers, thereby avoiding their defensiveness and opening the door for reflection and self-reevaluation.

Luke 15

Luke 15

What does Luke 15:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 15:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?